1.
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
1. light—is a common figure
for comfort.
strength—or,
"stronghold"—affording security against all violence. The
interrogations give greater vividness to the negation implied.
2.
When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
2. eat . . . my flesh—
(Job 19:22; Psalms 14:4).
The allusion to wild beasts illustrates their rapacity.
they stumbled—"they"
is emphatic; not I, but they were destroyed.
3.
Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
3. In the greatest dangers.
in this—that is, then,
in such extremity.
4.
One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.
4, 5. The secret of his
confidence is his delight in communion with God (Psalms 16:11;
Psalms 23:6), beholding the harmony
of His perfections, and seeking His favor in His temple or palace; a
term applicable to the tabernacle (compare Psalms 23:6). There he is safe (Psalms 31:21;
Psalms 61:5). The figure is changed
in the last clause, but the sentiment is the same.
5.
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
6.
And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
6. head be lifted up—I shall
be placed beyond the reach of my enemies. Hence he avows his purpose
of rendering joyful thank offerings.
7.
Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
7. Still pressing need extorts
prayer for help.
cry with my voice—denotes
earnestness. Other things equal, Christians in earnest pray audibly,
even in secret.
8.
When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
8. The meaning is clear, though
the construction in a literal translation is obscure. The English
Version supplies the implied clause. To seek God's face is
to seek His favor (Psalms 105:4).
9.
Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
9. Hide not, c.— (Psalms 4:6
Psalms 22:24). Against rejection he
pleads former mercy and love.
10.
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
10. In the extremity of earthly
destitution (Psalms 31:11; Psalms 38:11),
God provides (compare Matthew 25:35).
11.
Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
11. thy way—of providence.
a plain path— ().
enemies—literally,
"watchers for my fall" ().
12.
Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
12. will—literally, "soul,"
"desire" (Psalms 35:25).
enemies—literally,
"oppressors." Falsehood aids cruelty against him.
breathe out—as being
filled with it (Acts 9:1).
13.
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
13. The strong emotion is
indicated by the incomplete sentence, for which the English
Version supplies a proper clause; or, omitting that, and
rendering, "yet I believed," &c., the
contrast of his faith and his danger is expressed.
to see—is to experience
(Psalms 22:17).
14.
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
14. Wait, &c.—in confident
expectation. The last clause is, literally, "and wait,"
&c., as if expecting new measures of help.